and in
favour of great changes in the government.

Thus the winter passed wearily on. If the people of Paris were jealous
of the queen's wish to get away, and suspicious of her meaning it, if
possible, they were not far wrong. Some or other of the nobles and
clergy were continually planning to carry the royal family, either to
Rouen (a loyal city) or to the frontiers, to meet the king's brother and
friends, and the army they were raising. It would probably have been
done, but for the king's irresolution. He would neither speak nor stir
about it.

One night in March, at ten o'clock, when the children were asleep in
bed, the king and queen were playing whist with his next brother and
sister-in-law (who had not gone away), and the Princess Elizabeth was
kneeling on a footstool beside the card table, looking on. Monsieur
Campan, one of the most trusty of the queen's attendants, came in, and
said, in a low voice, that the Count d'Inisdal had called to say that
everything was planned for an escape. The nobles who had contrived it
were collected to guard and accompany the king;--the National Guard
about the palace were gained over;--post horses were ready all along the
road;--the king had only to consent, and he might be off before
midnight. The king went on playing his cards, and made no answer. "Did
you hear," said the queen, "what Campan has been telling us?"

"I hear," said the king; and still went on playing. After a while, the
queen observed, "Campan must have an answer of some kind." Then, at
length, the king spoke. "Tell the Count d'Inisdal," said he, "that I
cannot consent to be carried off." The queen repeated, "The king cannot
_consent_ to be carried off," meaning it to be clearly understood that
he would be very glad to go, if it could be so done as that he might say
afterwards that he had had nothing to do with the plan. The Count
d'Inisdal was very angry at the message. "I see how it is," said he.
"We, the king's faithful servants, are to have all the danger, and all
the blame, if the scheme fails." And off he went.

The queen would not give up her hopes that the nobles would understand
how glad the royal family would be to go, and would come for them. She
sat till past midnight wrapping up her jewels to carry away; and then
desired the lady who assisted her not to go to bed. The lady listened
all the night through, and looked out of the window many times; but all
was still, and no one but t